Coilte

If the OP is looking for advice on technique, how to prevent injury while playing bass etc, that's fair enough, but IMO this forum does not seem like the right place to be discussing medical problems.

I think you need to give us a little more information. Have you been diagnosed with CT ? Why are your hands so f***ed in the first place ? Prevention is better than cure. Perhaps your technique needs to be looked at ? Are you sure your problem is bass related ? These questions will do, for a start.

Your sitting position and what you actually sit on could be your problem. Do you sit on a couch or the side of your bed when playing ? If so, try using a hard chair with a back on it. Do you wear your strap when you play sitting down ? It helps to wear the bass at the same level (about belt buckle level) for both sitting and standing. IMO the strap should be worn when sitting. The advice not to rest your arm on the body of the bass is valid. Doing this, restricts the tendons movement, and can cause problems over time.

[quote name='stefBclef' timestamp='1338219457' post='1670991'] You've I am thinking about those times when you don't have a proper stand to hand. [/quote] There is no reason why that situation should ever arise. Wherever the bass goes, the stand goes.

I notice you say your hands "BURN" like crazy. You dont mention pain as such. This would suggest to me that what is happening is a build up of lactic acid. If you stop for a minute or two, does this burning sensation go away ? If you dont know, then try it and see. As well as all the good advice given so far, I would suggest that you warm up before a playing session. Before you even touch the bass, do some gentle stretches (search You Tube for "Hand Stretches for Guitar"). After that, SLOWLY do some chromatic scales above the 5th fret. Dont dive head long into fast strenuous playing immediately. Give the hand(s) a further 2-3 minutes to prepare for the strenuous task being asked of them. Here is an article on lactic acid which may throw some light into what may be happening in your situation : [url="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-does-lactic-acid-buil"]http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-does-lactic-acid-buil[/url]

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1341574544' post='1721111'] I don't think it is just musicians, it's just people. [/quote] You could be correct, but in my experience, musicians have been less reliable than other people.

[quote name='Deep Thought' timestamp='1341342728' post='1717457'] I went to a physio [/quote] This is what I'd recommend. As far as the bass is concerned, you could try experimenting with strap height etc. However, if you are gigging 5-8 times a week, perhaps this is the body's way of saying... "this is too much, I've had enough". In this case, no amount of technique changing will make any difference. The only thing that will, is rest ( or cut down drastically on the playing time), and whatever exercises the physio might give.

This link helped me a lot. You can have it with or without the bass (the latter when you are feeling brave ). You can also print off a PDF of the music. If you are starting out with walking bass lines, I can highly recommend Jay Hungerford's book (see link). Comes with a play along CD. As well as the exercises, the CD features some play along standards (including Autumn Leaves). The bass can be isolated, or you can cut off the bass and provide the low end yourself. It's a great fun way to learn walking bass lines. [url="http://www.eden-electronics.com/info/lessons/roy/roylesson49text_beg18.htm"]http://www.eden-electronics.com/info/lessons/roy/roylesson49text_beg18.htm[/url] Walking Book : [url="http://www.amazon.com/Mel-Walking-Jazz-Lines-Bass/dp/0786659963"]http://www.amazon.com/Mel-Walking-Jazz-Lines-Bass/dp/0786659963[/url]

[quote name='Acebassmusic' timestamp='1341333199' post='1717246'] "Getting a full band of musicians in a room together to practice is like herding cats!" - as quoted by a good friend [/quote] Never a truer thing was said. Why, is beyond me. For some reason, musicians seem to be among the most fickle of humans.

[quote name='Mr Fretbuzz' timestamp='1341203895' post='1715039'] interesting that the guy doesn't go for the stretch at the top of the neck.....:-) [/quote] That's true, he does not. However, about three quarters the way through the clip, he shows you how to use the thumb as a pivot, instead of stretching the fingers. IMO, this is the method to use on the lower frets.

[quote name='Mr Fretbuzz' timestamp='1341161584' post='1714521'] ...I'll try shifting about a bit too to make it easier and try and avoid some 4 fret stretches at the top of the neck...... but also try and hold down notes as well as I'm aware of it...... been reading the muting thread, I've tried it a little with my lefty but usually I'm just too busy trying to hit the notes ...... I use the rest stroke finger style though which helps.... What I'm definitely not going to do is to hold the neck on my first finger unless I'm on frets 1-3 ish...... think I'll avoid the thumb over the top too [/quote] Here is another video clip that might be of help. It is basic L/H technique, and concentrates on fingering. You are right IMO to concentrate first on getting a good clear note. The muting technique can come later. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeRoQuXlj9w"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeRoQuXlj9w[/url]

[quote name='ChristopherGilbert' timestamp='1341150946' post='1714314'] If the problem for Mr Fretbuzz is fingers flying off when fretting other notes, then my advice is relaxation and to slow down. [/quote] I agree. This is a different issue altogether from the thumb one. The way to tackle this as stated above is to place the fingers very slowly and deliberatly onto then off of the frets.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1341153689' post='1714364'] Why would I need to do that? My technique is clean and precise and I don't have any muting problems. I have put my time in and can mute lh or rh .. My point is the op needs to do the same. I am not convinced floating thumb is useful or any better than any other method but if you have ringing strings you really have to clean up your playing. I favour lh mute over plucking mute but the end goal is to best fast fluid and more importantly, precise. For those that can't do this, you are going to have to put the hard yards in. No quick fix. [/quote] I think the main point is that it's important to be able to mute the strings. The FT is just one way of doing this. It is up to each person to find a technique that suits them. Another advantage of the floating thumb however, is that besides muting, with this technique, the wrist is straight, thus avoiding possible injury due to a bent wrist. Granted, a lot of players use a bent wrist with no problems, but it is generally accepted that this can cause problems over time.

[quote name='rushers' timestamp='1341133277' post='1714037'] Yes, I mean the tips of the fingers [/quote] In that case, I agree completely with the quote below. Also, I dont agree with bursting blisters as they contain nature's disinfectant. Give the blisters time to heal, then build up your playing time gradually, as "TimR" says. Once you build up callouses, you can play for longer. [quote name='TimR' timestamp='1341098133' post='1713919'] Play less build up over time. If it hurts stop. The old no pain no gain mantra is very subjective. There are no shortcuts. If you try surgical spirit, meths etc it will make the skin too hard and it will shed. Ok for a short term emergency solution but as I say.... There are no short cuts. [/quote]

OP, perhaps you could confirm whether you mean blisters or internal pain. Some more general detail would help people to help you.

As far as the thumb is concerned there is no "should", i.e. let it go where it feels natural to do so. Placing the thumb behind the ring, or even the index finger, narrows the carpel tunnel through which the tendons go. This can cause problems over time. Below are two clips, one deals with safe L/H technique ( addresses the "thumb pointing towards the headstock" issue too). The other video clip deals specifically with the thumb. Hope they help. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRkSsapYYsA"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRkSsapYYsA[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM-rkoy2H8I"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM-rkoy2H8I[/url]

[quote name='tedgilley' timestamp='1341015464' post='1712983'] She was hot, but has anyone tried to read any of her materials? All but impossible. [/quote] I'm inclined to agree with this. I have a few of her tutorial books, and while there is no doubt about the content being second to none, I sometimes find it hard going. I think this is due to the general presentation.

[quote name='paul torch' timestamp='1341046781' post='1713107'] This may be an obvious question to some of you but, she seems to have a strip of tape across the bridge, is that for muting purposes? [/quote] Yes. She talks about it in depth on her web site.

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1341046188' post='1713095'] If you can find her "Modern Electric Bass" tutor books then I guarantee you will learn loads, I know I did (and still do). [/quote] All her books and DVD's are available on her site. [url="http://carolkaye.com/catalog/"]http://carolkaye.com/catalog/[/url]

[quote name='steve-soar' timestamp='1341006997' post='1712896'] Shut the f*** up, you silly ones, she is one of the greatest bass guitarists, ever. I'd like to see your back catalogues. [/quote] Lighten up !!.......just poking a little harmless fun. I am a great fan of Carol Kaye. She has had an amazing career, and is still going strong.

[quote name='Musky' timestamp='1341000972' post='1712820'] Yeah, she played on that. [/quote] No, she didn't.....that was Jamerson.

I find it much easier to use the thumb, as in the "Floating Thumb" technique. Great for muting 4's but especially 5 and 6 sting basses. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPVMBPmrblU"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPVMBPmrblU[/url]

[quote name='squire5' timestamp='1340976056' post='1712317'] I always thought cramp involved severe pain tho' Not so,it seems. [/quote] I am not an expert in this, but I do take an interest in the general health/injury side of bass playing. Here is a great site you may like to browse at your leisure. Lots of constructive information here. [url="http://chriskeuken.nl/health.html"]http://chriskeuken.nl/health.html[/url]

[quote name='Jigster' timestamp='1340961580' post='1711992'] Sounds like cramp But interesting question, being self taught, never had any taught input into how best to hold/play bass - you see some players with it up around their neck, some slung low, anyone with thoughts on advised alignment of arms, wrists etc? [/quote] To each their own as far as the wearing height is concerned. However, wear the bass to high and the plucking hand/wrist will suffer. Too low and the fretting hand suffers. The general accepted compromise is to wear it with the main body of the bass at around belt buckle level. OP, it is a good idea to wear a strap when sitting. The ideal thing is to have it at the same position for both standing and sitting. Belt buckle level is best for this. I still maintain that you resting your arm on the bass is the chief culprit for your problem.

Your friend was right. The fact that you were resting your forearm on the sharp edge of the bass, is a strongest suspect as to the source of your problem IMO. Doing this, inhibits the tendons from working freely. Try to keep both wrists as straight as possible. Other things you can do is to warm up before a practice session ( and down afterwards) or gig, with gentle stretches. Search You Tube for "hand stretches for guitar". Staying well hydrated also helps things to run smoothly.